The teaching staff of City College Norwich’s multi-award winning RUGRoom facility for students with Aspergers Syndrome (AS) took home a national STAR Award at a glittering Oscars-style ceremony in London on Thursday night. The team of teachers and learning support assistants beat off stiff national competition to receive the award for Response to Learners Needs.
The STAR awards are held annually by The Learning and Skills Improvement Service to recognise and reward the unsung heroes of the further education sector. The Prize was awarded to the hard working staff of City College Norwich’s RUGroom, which offers a safe haven and a social and study space for students with AS and other Autistic Spectrum Disorders. The award recognises the work of the team of more than 30 specialist staff who support students on mainstream courses, as well as organising out of college social activities to help students develop social and communication skills.
The RUGroom staff were proudly nominated by City College Norwich Principal Dick Palmer, who said: “I am immensely proud of all the staff in the RUGroom. This award recognises the dedication and hard work of the whole team and the difference they make to the lives of so many young people across the county. It is a great opportunity for the College to say thank you to the committed individuals who make the RUGroom such a unique place to work and study”.
Danusia Latosinski, RUGroom Programme Manager said “This award recognises the commitment of all the RUGroom staff who support students not only in their academic work, but also outside of college hours organising lunchtime clubs, trips away and social activities. It’s these extra things which make all the difference to people with Aspergers Syndrome”.
RUGroom student Ben Corbitt said: “The best thing about the RUGroom is the staff, my tutor has a good sense of humour and is really kind. I am proud of the RUGroom, without it I wouldn’t have so many friends.”
Not only were staff there to celebrate in style but a group of students from the RUGroom were also specially selected to perform at the awards event. “Doumtekatek” drumming group, led by Senior Learning Support Assistant Jeff Dale, entertained guests with rhythms from North Africa, the Middle East and Egypt.
Jeff Dale said: “It was a fantastic night, like the Oscars, there was a champagne reception with thousands of lights, people in costumes and on stilts and a starlit tunnel to go through to the dinner. The drumming group really enjoyed being there. They couldn’t stop smiling all the way home. It was such an achievement for them to get chosen to play from over 50 groups who were nominated”.
This success is the latest in a string of awards for the RUGroom facility, including the recent award of the highly prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education and an East of England National Training Award in the Providing Education and Training category.
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